Topical Bible: Woman: Often Engaged in Embroidery

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In biblical times, women were often engaged in various forms of domestic and artistic work, including the intricate craft of embroidery. This skill is highlighted in several passages of Scripture, reflecting both the cultural practices of the time and the value placed on such artistry.

Embroidery, the art of decorating fabric with needle and thread, is mentioned in the context of the tabernacle's construction. In Exodus 35:25, the Bible notes, "Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen." This passage underscores the involvement of women in creating the beautiful and sacred textiles used in worship, indicating their significant contribution to the religious life of Israel.

The Proverbs 31 woman, often cited as an ideal of biblical womanhood, is described as industrious and skilled in various crafts. Proverbs 31:22 states, "She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple." This suggests that she was proficient in creating high-quality textiles, possibly including embroidered items, which were considered luxurious and valuable.

In the book of Judges, the account of Sisera's mother provides a glimpse into the cultural appreciation for embroidered goods. Judges 5:30 describes the spoils of war, including "a girl or two for each warrior, the plunder of dyed and embroidered garments for Sisera, the plunder of embroidered garments for my neck—all this as spoil." This passage highlights the desirability and prestige associated with embroidered textiles, which were often part of the spoils of victory.

Ezekiel 16:10-13 uses embroidery metaphorically to describe the adornment of Jerusalem, portraying the city as a woman clothed in fine garments. Verse 10 says, "I clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of fine leather on you; I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk." Here, embroidery symbolizes beauty, wealth, and divine favor, illustrating the high regard for this craft.

The New Testament does not specifically mention embroidery, but the cultural context of the time suggests that women continued to engage in textile arts. The apostle Paul, in his letters, often refers to women who were active in the early Christian communities, suggesting that their skills and contributions were valued in various forms.

Overall, the biblical references to embroidery reflect a broader appreciation for the artistic and domestic skills of women, highlighting their role in both the spiritual and everyday life of their communities.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 31:22
She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Melancholy.
... sufficiently occupied when their fingers are engaged in fixing ... The duties and
obligations of woman, far from being ... We very often see the objects of our warmest ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xx melancholy.htm

Introduction
... casts out of his mouth floods of water after the woman to drown ... a great comfort to
him that he has been so often upon the ... You are engaged in a glorious service ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/1 introduction.htm

Under Ban of the Ritual
... The Egyptian of the Exodus often married at sixteen, and ... openly and in perfect propriety
was a woman abroad with ... At the landing he engaged one of the numerous ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

India as Carey Found It
... and Ryland) must hold the ropes.' We solemnly engaged to him ... hath sent Me, even so
send I you." Often in after ... She was woman and wife enough, in the end, to do ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iii india as carey.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... representation a certain caustic humour, which impelled them often to substitute
for ... and the hem was usually ornamented with coloured needlework or embroidery. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... Divorce: the rights of wealthy women; woman and marriage ... of divine wrath the cause
of which was often unknown, and ... animal back to its lair; he engaged in close ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... or that the child of another woman inherited the ... They are often represented on the
tombs beside their masters ... hold in leash, or sometimes are engaged in teasing ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... employment suggested rather that of a band of embroidery carefully disposed ... names,
of whose meaning and pronunciation we are often ignorant ... "Every woman born in ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... so far gained ground, that the Christian emblem was not often to be ... of 'Moses with
the Laws'; Barry, Dance, Cipriani, and Angelica Kauffman engaged to present ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... colours,"a spoil of divers colours of embroidery on both ... their usual haunts, a few
days or often a few ... of seventy children, and, by a Canaanite woman whom he ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm